Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

A History of Fear by Luke Dumas

15 reviews

anissawren's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Child abuse, Death of parent, Homophobia, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Hate crime, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Stalking, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Biphobia, Self harm, Excrement, and Animal cruelty

jojoannk's review

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Drug use, Death of parent, Rape, Homophobia, Confinement, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, Violence, and Murder

ohennui's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Child abuse, Murder, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

pandaplantain's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

0.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Child abuse

Moderate: Fatphobia

isabeltavares's review against another edition

DNF 55%

This isn't meant to be a "nice" book but there is something infuriating when all the fat characters that appear are described negatively or with disgust but everyone else is not.

Regarding the story itself, I wasn't invested. When I decided to abandon this read, I skipped to the end and it wasn't as interesting enough to warrant me finishing it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Body shaming, Rape, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, and Death

leo5178's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

If you are a fan of horror then I have a strong suspicion you will take to this story. I have strong Crime and Punishment vibes from this book as well. It also reflects on the nature of evil and evil deeds; though there is no end of redemption for our central character. 

Overall the meshing of personal manuscript and then editors additions of interviews and documents was good. I think I would have liked more documents and a little trimming of the narrative portion. 

The main character does ramble and is overall hard to like in a lot of portions.  I did maintain a certain empathy throughout despite this which I think is important for the story to work. If an unlikable narrator or annoying narrator is a deal breaker for you I would probably not pick this book up. 

If you are looking for a psychological thriller and are curious if the devil really is in Scotland I highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Homophobia, and Murder

Moderate: Stalking, Physical abuse, and Blood

caidyn's review

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but it was so good. I quickly picked up on the internalized homophobia and all that. But an excellent read and I'll check out Dumas's next book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, and Child abuse

Moderate: Murder and Death

kellyallenpoe's review

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Child abuse, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Gore and Violence

kate_303's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Is the devil stalking Mr. Hale or is there something else occurring, something he can’t admit even to himself? 

This is the premise of Luke Dumas’ debut novel, the best debut I’ve read in a while. A novel take on repression and religion, Dumas keeps you enjoyed throughout the novel, whether you’re reading Mr. Hale’s ‘biography’ or the notes of the editor, you find yourself sinking further into the story as you go along. 

Finished in one sitting, could not put it down. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry

lizikc's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry